Month: November 2024

By: Alyssa L. Ochs

Various tools and pieces of equipment are essential to smoothly operating a vineyard. Yet the versions of these products you choose could significantly impact your labor expenditures and a successful harvest.

  This article highlights several specific pieces of vineyard equipment: de-leafers, tillers, sprayers, mowers and shredders. With the input of industry experts, we offer recommendations about evaluating your options and choosing suitable machines for your grapes.

De-Leafers in the Vineyard

  De-leafers are machines that remove leaves around grape clusters in a vineyard. They aim to improve air circulation and allow grapes to get more sunlight for growth. Using a de-leafer helps reduce the likelihood of disease and enhances grape quality.

  Based in Macungie, Pennsylvania, BDi Machinery offers the Rinieri DRF, a double barrel leaf remover that fits the needs of modern vineyards. Paul J. Licata from BDi told The Grapevine Magazine how this machine removes leaves from the grape zone, increasing maturation and aeration and reducing the amount of chemicals sprayed.

  He also shared about the Olmi 430F Air Impulse leaf remover machine with one reversible head, four hydraulic movements, a cardan, and an electro-hydraulic joystick to operate the hydraulic movements. It has a high-speed system head, and the compressor unit on the back of the tractor has a three-point hitch linkage frame with the head at the front of the tractor. OLMI is the pioneer of pneumatic de-leafing and the latest technology available. 

  Lakeview Vineyard Equipment is based in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, and provides a wide range of vineyard mechanization solutions for every scale of operation. Joe Pillitteri from Lakeview Vineyard Equipment shared with The Grapevine Magazine that his company offers leaf removal machines like the Collard Raptor Compressed Air Leaf Removers. The Clemens EasyFix Shootbinder is a tool used to tuck vines behind leaves, and the Collard Hedger and Collard Leaf Removers are also options.

Chino, California-based Gearmore provides quality implements through servicing tractor dealers and aims to offer the finest and most reliable equipment at affordable prices.

  Robert Giersbach from Gearmore told The Grapevine Magazine, “Many different implements are available for between rows vineyard maintenance, such as discs, flail shredders, cultivators, tillers and v-rippers. We supply all these implements, as growers may use one or more of these implements that best fits their requirements.”

  In general, when shopping for de-leafers, look for models that save manual labor time. Some models can save up to 30 percent of your time rather than de-leafing by hand. Also, look for de-leafers that are gentle to vines, such as air-based systems, so that you don’t damage grapes. 

Tillers in the Vineyard

  Tillers prepare the soil for planting by breaking it up and mixing the nutrients optimally. Tilling the soil promotes healthy root growth and good water absorption.

  Licata from BDi Machinery told The Grapevine Magazine, “We handle Ortolan Power Harrows and Stone and Sod Buriers, plus Tortella Spaders. Depending on needs, application and tractor specs, they are perfect for working the soil in vineyards, orchards, horticulture and nurseries.”

  Pillitteri Lakeview Vineyard Equipment said that his company sells a complete line of Clemens vineyard floor management tools to control weeds and prep soil for cover crops. These products include the Clemens Radius SL+ Undervine Weeder, Clemens Over the Row MultiClean and Clemens Finger Weeder/Roller.

  As you compare tillers, choose one that matches your soil type. For example, light models do well in sandy soil, while heavy-duty tillers are best for clay. It’s also wise to choose an adjustable tiller with depth settings that you can change to accommodate vineyard needs.

Sprayers in the Vineyard

  A sprayer is used in a vineyard to apply fungicides, fertilizers and pesticides. By spraying the vines, you protect them from diseases and pests while giving them essential nutrients.

  BDi Machinery represents the world leader in sprayers: CIMA low-volume Atomizer sprayers. These sprayers are designed for efficacy to help growers use less water and chemicals with targeted spray coverage. Licata from BDi said, “Cima sprayers have been designed and built inside the Cima factory in Italy since 1974. Cima sprayers are perfect for vineyard, orchard and nursery spraying. These sprayers allow for more acres per fill-up, uniform spray, more coverage and better control of air distribution. They also allow for less chemical run-off, fewer applications, fewer fill-ups and less maintenance.”

  You can purchase Gregoire single and multi-row sprayers from Lakeview Vineyard Equipment, including a recycling sprayer for one to four rows of coverage. Options include the Gregoire ECOProtect L2 Sprayer, Gregoire Progress Sprayer and Gregoire GL7 Harvester with Sprayer Attachment.

  A sprayer should provide even coverage to all parts of your vines. Look at models with adjustable nozzles for the best control. Also, look for sprayers with tanks that scale with your vineyard size to minimize the time needed for refilling.

Mowers and Shredders in the Vineyard

  Vineyard workers use mowers to cut the grass and trim the weeds between vineyard rows. Mowing helps maintain a clean and managed vineyard floor for better growth.

  Shredders are used in vineyards to shred organic debris, such as leftover prunings. The materials shredders collect can be used to retain moisture and enrich the soil.

  BDi Machinery offers shredders/mowers ideal for grass and wood in vineyards, parks, and large orchards.

  Acampo heavy-duty shredders/mowers are available from Lakeview Vineyard Equipment as well.

  “With each manufacturer we can configure options and sizes and machine capacities to fit any size operation,” said Lakeview’s Pillitteri. “We have incredible market share in each category and, as such, have access to high quality used equipment that is backed by warranty. For each product we have chosen a supplier that we feel is the most robust, versatile and best supported product in our space. Ultimately we are acutely aware that equipment is only as good as the dealer that backs it and in our case we feel Lakeview adds incredible value.” 

  Consider mowers that can easily navigate between your rows without damaging the vines. Wider cutting widths may reduce mowing time, but ensure it’s narrow enough to fit between rows.

  The best shredders are durable and can handle rugged vineyard equipment. Efficient models can also handle significant pruning and debris volumes. For easy management, look for ones that sweep debris into the path of your shredder or mower.

Current Trends in Vineyard Equipment

  Regarding trending innovations and technologies now available, Licata from BDi shared, “Customers are continuing to seek doing more with less. Whether it’s leaf removal or spraying, moving from single-row to multi-row machines continues to be a trend.”

  Pillitteri from Lakeview Vineyard Equipment said that in the last 10 years, he’s seen a remarkable shift away from herbicides and towards minimizing chemical use across the industry.

  “Even if our customer base is not completely organic or biodynamic, there’s a strong desire to put less chemical into the fields without sacrificing fruit quality or vine health,” he said. “In that regard we have experienced explosive growth with Clemens mechanical weed control tools and Gregoire decreased volume, EcoProtect recycling sprayers.”

Choosing the Right Machines for Your Vineyard

  With a better understanding of the options available for these types of machinery, you can make the best choices based on your vineyard’s size, climate, budget and other factors.

  BDi Machinery’s Paul J. Licata advises vineyards, “The two important areas are knowing your tractor’s technical specifications and the implement you are selecting technical information. Both need to work together and allow for correct operation.”

  Joe Pillitteri from Lakeview Vineyard Equipment’s advice was to always prioritize a budget based on the growth stage of the vineyard. 

  “A good sprayer is the foundation for plants to go from planting to fruit production, so invest in a sprayer that allows for excellent coverage in a reasonable spraying window. It’s best to buy ‘right’ first rather than making something work that is going to present reliability issues or simply be undersized for the vineyard your operation,” Pillitteri said. 

  He continued, “After that, floor management becomes a focus for grape radius, weed control equipment, cultivation equipment and mower/shredders. If and when the time is right, mechanical harvesting is a product line that seems to have gone from a luxury to a necessity based on labor availability and short harvesting windows.”

  “When purchasing any equipment I think it makes good sense to ask for at least five to 10 references for any product that a dealer has sold to a similar sized vineyard,” Pillitteri  said. “Even if you don’t intend to contact each and every reference, it supplies peace of mind that the product and the dealer will earn your investment.”

  Giersbach from Gearmore added, “Growers continue to reduce the number of passes in their vineyards. One of the popular ways is to spray two complete rows in lieu of two half rows, thus cutting spraying time half. Also, by using Venturi concentrated spray, less fill-ups are required.”

  Giersbach also shared that at Gearmore, the same implements are available in many different widths and capacities.

  “This is needed because of the many tractors horsepower’s and widths,” he said. “Thus, if you tell your supplier this information and your vineyard row width, it will be easier to recommend the implement model that best fits your vineyard.”

By: Gerald Dlubala

Vineyard pruning is sometimes approached with a different passion than harvest, but it’s no less critical and can have a noticeable effect on the following year’s harvest.  Proper pruning encourages robust vine growth and enriches the health of the vine and fruiting grapes. A well-pruned and maintained vine directs all of its energy into producing high-quality fruit rather than sending resources into nonproductive areas of the vine.

  On the surface, pruning sounds simple, but it really is an art form that separates the healthy wood from any dead or damaged vines to help increase the production and quality of the fruit in the next harvest. Locate your previous year’s growth and eliminate the dead or diseased wood. Select the strongest and healthiest-looking vines and trim any excess, leaving a few well-spaced buds on those canes to encourage optimal shoot development and production.

  If done early, vineyard managers give themselves plenty of time to complete the pruning. Late pruning is known to help reduce the damaging effects of frost, but then the workers may have to deal with less-than-optimal weather to complete the pruning before bud break. Younger vines can be trained at this time, while older, mature vines are pruned to encourage ongoing productivity. Pruning is also the time to help form a well-ventilated canopy that features proper air circulation and optimal sun penetration.

  Pruning is also critical to disease detection and to determining which vines, if any, should be replaced. Additionally, any detected diseases can be spread from one vine to another through the tools used, so regularly sterilizing pruning tools with isopropyl alcohol or a bleach solution is a must.

  Many vineyards have turned to pre-pruning to reduce the time needed for pruning and the labor involved.

Pre-Pruning to Ease the Load: Provide Agro

  Sean Bartlett, business unit manager for Provide Agro, a Bartlett Company, told The Grapevine Magazine that pre-pruning is one way to ease the demands on vineyard managers during the pruning season.

  “Pre-pruning cordon and spur-trained vines can significantly help cut down on labor costs and time spent pruning,” said Bartlett. “We recommend doing this anytime throughout the dormant season before you do the final pruning. The best time for final pruning is usually as late as possible in the dormant season, but that’s not often practical with larger vineyards with more acreage and labor limitations. This is when a pre-pruning strategy really pays off.”

  Bartlett says that all long canes measuring six to 12 inches long are cut back during pre-pruning. By doing this now, there is less manual manipulation,  saving labor and time later during traditional pruning.

  “Leaving the longer cane length during pre-pruning has also been shown to help deter fungal disease,” said Bartlett. “Additionally, while pre-pruning, you can prioritize and choose your vines based on their expected susceptibility to winter injury. Sometimes, based on observations, you may want to leave more buds now and reassess at final pruning.”

  Provide Agro works with clients to provide custom solutions and proper equipment for their field equipment, packhouse and custom manufacturing needs. For vineyard management, Bartlett recommends Freilauber products. Freilauber has specialized in vineyard equipment for over 25 years, focusing on quality and new innovative processes for the future.

Combining Experience & Technology for Cost-Effective, Efficient Pruning: Cypress Agritech Partners With INFACO USA

  “Vineyard pruning isn’t a one-size-fits-all task,” said Joey Traut, vice president of Cypress Agritech, a provider of practical and sustainable solutions to the agriculture industry. “The optimal time for pruning depends on the growing region you’re in, the weather and the vineyard location’s microclimate. It also depends on if you’re growing table grapes or wine grapes.

  Sometimes, it’s just a result of getting through harvest and wanting to take some time off before undertaking another labor-intensive vineyard task. The normal pruning window lies between November and January. Table grape growers may begin in November after harvest; wine grape regions usually hold off until later in January. Vineyards further north, such as those in the Pacific Northwest, may prune in February or March to get past the coldest winter months and not have to prune when it’s cold and wet. The farther north you go, the later they start pruning. Regarding completion time, we know that most vineyards would like to complete their pruning within one to two months.”

  Cypress Agritech is the dealer and service provider for INFACO, a premium hand-held power tool manufacturer servicing the agricultural industry for over 35 years. INFACO is credited with developing the first electric pruning shear, and through continuous development, its F3020 Professional Battery Powered Pruning Shear is considered the gold standard in electric pruning shears.

  “We partnered with two vineyards through two pruning cycles to test the effectiveness of INFACO’s F3020 shears,” said Traut. “These tools aren’t cheap, so if you have to buy enough shears so that a block of up to 50 workers can all prune the vineyard at the same time, you want to make sure you’re getting a return on your investment.”

  “So, we looked at how to prove that return,” he said. “The idea is simple enough: you provide an electric shear that will prune faster with quicker cuts, saving time and money on labor hours. But how much? Is there a potential to reduce your pruning crew and have those available workers do other vineyard activities at the same time? If crews can prune in half the time, pruning crews can be reduced, making other workers available for additional vineyard tasks at the same time. We’re not looking to reduce jobs. We look to automate those we can to increase efficiency across the vineyard. That’s a win for everyone.”

  “For our trials, we had two vineyards that were each about 200 acres, with 900 vines per acre planted with the same spacing,” said Traut. “Rows were alternated being pruned either manually or by using INFACO’s F3020 shears. We continued the trial over two years,  using two pruning cycles to validate our findings and compare the labor data to the cost of shears needed. We know upfront that the manual pruning is going to naturally take longer, with more mental and hand fatigue from clenching down manually on bigger branches. The end of the two-year trials gave us the results of using electric shears in a real-time test under real-world conditions in two prominent and well-managed vineyards.”

  He shared, “We ended up with some great, specific data sets. Those data sets showed that, with all things being equal, the pruning was completed with INFACO’s electric shears in 1.64 months compared to 2.18 months for those using traditional manual pruning methods. We then compared the labor data to the cost of the shears, and we see that we’ve also cut costs while optimizing our labor.”

  Traut said they have created spreadsheets in cooperation with vineyard pruning experts and have come up with a formula that provides a vineyard manager or owner with an idea of the return on investment and how much they would save by using electric shears for their pruning tasks. Different spreadsheets are available for wine and table grapes because each features different intricacies, including different pruning methods.

Look for Equipment with Functionality, Durability, Safety & Non-Stop Battery Life

  Traut said that, as with any farm equipment, vineyard workers want to know about the safety and durability of any new equipment. Additionally, when it comes to battery-powered equipment, battery life is always one of the first questions that come to mind.

  “Those are all legitimate concerns,” said Traut. “In trials, battery life was a big question. After all, these shears are farm equipment and will be subjected to rough use while in the elements. Downtime due to battery failure or the need for a recharge is not acceptable. INFACO’s F3020 shears can easily go a couple of days without a recharge, but we recommend that vineyard workers do the simplest and most efficient thing and store them in their charging cradle after completing a day’s work. In all of our trials, vineyards have loved these shears. We’ve had the same success stories with orchard and blueberry farmers. The batteries won’t fail in the field unless they haven’t been charged in a few days.”

  Traut says that the F3020 is essentially a modular unit. It attaches to a cable that hooks into the battery pack located in the included backpack-type mechanism, or it can attach to a belt. The backpack keeps the cable out of the way and keeps the unit ergonomically valid, reducing stress on the hand and wrist and effectively reducing workman’s compensation claims.

  The blades of the shear are interchangeable. The shear comes with a medium head size, which is the most popular and widely used in vineyards. The larger maxi head size has a bigger cut radius, which is more popular in orchard use. When pruning smaller diameter branches, the diameter cut radius of the shear can be adjusted, optimizing cut speed. An interesting safety feature is that the shear’s bottom blade can pick up on the electromagnetic current that runs through a human’s skin. If the shear senses that current, it will not close or cut.

  “It’s an extreme safety feature that I demonstrate at shows with my own fingers,” said Traut. “We’ve had very positive reviews from those that have adopted INFACO’s shears for use in their vineyards, and that’s just one reason we’ve decided to work with them. There are a lot of electric shears on the market that are capable of doing a job for you, but when considering safety, quality, maintenance, service and overall function, INFACO was the one that gave us everything. For anyone looking to purchase electric shears, I would say that they should look at the product’s safety, durability and reliability in that order. Additionally, we provide an excellent annual maintenance program that essentially extends the original warranty to last a lifetime.”

Innovation and Improvements Continue

  Even though the F3020 is just two years old, INFACO is always looking for new ways and features to get better. They’ve increased their Bluetooth connectivity and enhanced their safety function, giving it more reliability by decreasing the lag that sometimes occurs in wet or heavy dew conditions. The improved Bluetooth connectivity will also allow their app to record every trigger pull to make a cut. All new orders starting for this season will have the enhancements already installed.

  These features will be added to existing shears at the next maintenance interval. Traut tells The Grapevine that INFACO has multiple tools for different crops, and they’ve also had great reviews on their AT 1000, an electric tying device that provides orchard and vineyard workers a quicker way to tie vines rather than hand tying.

  “We believe that INFACO has the best electric shears on the market,” said Traut. “We do our due diligence, learning from having locations along the Central Valley and Central Coast of California wine regions. We’ve done extensive trials with both table and wine grapes just because we know there are different intricacies within those varietals, including timing, pruning methods and training methods. But we don’t want to just blast out data. We travel up and down the state and are always happy to give demos and sit down with vineyard owners/managers who can input their own data points into our calculator to get an idea of the savings they can realize by going to electric shears.

  We have plenty of references to speak with as well. We believe in good relationships and want everyone to stay safe during harvest and pruning season.”